Johnny Manziel: ‘I’m still going to do things that everyone in college does’

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel said the reason he left the Manning Passing Academy early over the weekend was not because he was hungover.

Manziel was asked directly during an interview on ESPN’s “College Football Live” if he was drinking alcohol during his time at the camp.

“I’m not going into details about what happened at the Manning camp. We had social events every night.”

The Heisman Trophy-winning signal caller said he was sent home to relax and get some sleep.

“There’s a lot of rumors out there, a lot of talk,” Manziel said. “I’ve been very eager to get a chance to share my side of the story. I missed a meeting. It wasn’t anything due to the night prior. … It was just simply my phone died, I overslept, I woke up the next morning whenever I did, went and talked to them and it was kind of a mutual decision to get home and get some time to relax.”

Manziel said he spoke to Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin recently, apologizing for any shame he put on his program.

“I told him I felt like the deal really got blown out of proportion, and I’m sorry for that, for the way it was spun and the way it was taken out of context,” he said. “I never meant to make A&M look bad, or especially him. Me and Coach Sumlin have such a special relationship and I never would have wanted to upset him.”

Manziel threw for 3,706 yards and rushed for 1,410 more, averaging 7.0 yards on the ground and 12.6 yards per completion last season.

“I feel like I am on a little bit higher pedestal than most people in college football,” Manziel said. “But at the same time, I’m still 20 years old, I’m still a sophomore in college, I’m still going to do things that everyone in college does and continue to live my life. Hopefully people don’t hold me to a higher standard than that.”

My dad as a college professor for 28 years had three requirements of his students including athletes in order to pass his class. Attend class every day, participate, and pass the exams. Good luck, Johnny!